The Pride of McKenzie Tennessee Drew Hayes Could Help Reds.

Drew Hayes appeared in his first game of the spring on Wednesday.

The 26-year old right-handed reliever is on the brink of earning a roster spot, if not out of spring training camp, after the season starts.

"Drew is one good start of the season away from helping us," manager Bryan Price said. "He struggled yesterday to get the ball down.  He has good stuff but didn't have the type of season that he is capable of having."

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Hayes tied for the Southern League lead with 51 appearances with a 4-3 record and a 5.43, the highest he's had as a professional by nearly two runs per game.

Hayes is working on a change up and two-seam fastball, to get a little sink on his pitches.  The scoreless inning on Wednesday against Cleveland started out a little rough by his own admission.

Hayes gave up a single to David Adams and walked Erik Gonzalez to start the eighth inning.

"The first couple hitters it was a little rough," Hayes said. "There were a couple mechanical things that made me rush to the plate. Once I was able to slow it down and get under control, things were good."

Hayes got the next three hitters, striking out Carlos Moncrief, getting Jesus Aguilar on a routine fly to center and coaxing a ground ball from Luke Carlin.

"I was fortunate to see him in the Fall League and he threw the ball very well, not just with good velocity but his command," Price said.  "He worked on his change up which will be a big pitch for him to have a three-pitch mix. My expectations is that he will be he will be a lot sharper. He's an intangibles guy too with a good fastball, slider combination and seems to be comfortable in competition."